ACC to train Afghan coaches, umpires

KABUL (PAN): In response to a request from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has expressed its willingness to train Afghans in areas of coaching and umpiring, officials said on Sunday.

"Since Afghanistan lacks good trainers, the board sought help from the Asian Cricket Council in this regard," said Dr. Noor Mohammad Murad, in charge of ACB development affairs.

Initially, he said, one best player from each province would be referred to the board for a three-day training course under the training programme. After going through trials, the trainees would be selected for the programme to be conducted by the ACC, Murad said.

ACB Chief Executive Officer Nasimullah Danish called the training process a new step toward promoting cricket in Afghanistan. He said the programme would enable cricketers to act as coaches and umpires in their respective provinces.

"The programme will also enable Afghanistan to have trainers and umpires of international standards," he hoped. The one-week training is scheduled to start from October 21.